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Multicultural Quebec

October 2017

The four writers featured in this portfolio are all celebrated contemporary novelists who were born outside of Canada but who publish in Quebec, writing in French, their second language. Thuy is from Vietnam; Pan Bouyoucas is of Greek descent from Lebanon; Ying Chen is from China; Sergio Kokis is from Brazil. Whether they were fleeing war, furthering their education, or simply looking for better opportunities, each writer ended up in Quebec quite by chance. Some, like Thuy, have built their lives and careers here, while others, like Chen, eventually moved elsewhere, remaining tied to Quebec through the French language.

The Vagaries of Exile: Migrant Literature from Quebec
By Rachel Morgenstern-Clarren
The four writers featured in this portfolio are all celebrated contemporary novelists born outside of Canada but who publish in French, their second language.
Incidents at the Evangelista Lighthouse
By Sergio Kokis
They stared hard at one another for a time, overcome with fear and doubt.
Translated from French by Hugh Hazelton
Wounds
By Ying Chen
He knew he was a tyrant in his own way.
Translated from French by Pamela Casey
Vi
By Kim Thuy
The realities of life in Indochina had nothing in common with those of France.
Translated from French by Sheila Fischman
Cock-a-doodle-do
By Pan Bouyoucas
“Why didn’t you tell her about the rooster?”
Translated from French by Éric Fontaine & Rachel Morgenstern-Clarren
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